Slow arm drag from guard?

[David Rosado]

I'm looking to explore a position that I used to toy with but never gave much thought because I don't see anyone really teaching it. I call it a slow arm drag but I'm sure there's a real name for it.

Basically, a proper arm drag is supposed to be a big explosive movement that exposes the back and you're supposed to end up on their back. I used it to get shoulder to shoulder.

What I do is look to get a grip of the opposite triceps, like the armdrag. I have a few different ways I do it too. But the goal isn't to explode and take the back. Instead, I use the triceps to pull them into me (or sometimes I'll pull myself up into them if they posture hard enough) and I end up clinched shoulder to shoulder. I've done this from closed guard, butterfly, and half.

But just getting that shoulder to shoulder clinch helps me a lot. I'm aware that my back is exposed too when I'm in half guard. But I've found that it's riskier for them to try and go for my back than it is for me. They would have to roll under me to get my back. And if I anticipate that, I just forced them to give me top control. If they fight to maintain posture, it gives me more time to shrimp to their side similar to prison guard. From there I have a little sweep I use, or I can just take the back. If they keep their posture broken, the back is even easier to take. From half guard, I also have an option to take the truck. Or a calf slicer if I'm quick enough. Never hit it before though because I'm slow. Haha.

The closest thing I've seen to what I'm describing is a Greg Jackson series.

http://www.sherdog.com/mma-technique...to-Guard-48805

The main difference is that I don't go straight to the back unless the window is big enough to get a seat belt grip. Usually I stay clinched shoulder to shoulder to prevent the guy from exploding and slipping out.


I can't lie and say I've repped this 100 times. In fact, I've never repped it. I've only messed with it in live rolls, but it's had good success. I've messed with it enough that I have successfully taken the back and I have two sweeps from there as well.

The reason I'm asking is because you guys are always an honest source. I feel like there might be a lot there to explore. Or maybe it's a good position, but aside from a couple options, it's a dead end. But I don't wanna piss in the wind if anyone can point out a critical flaw.


So what do you guys say? Anyone already play with this? Is it bad fundamentally? Should I actually give it a try?


Thanks homies.

[Sam Davis]

It gets my (humble) stamp of approval. I use the slow arm drag as well as the fast one from almost every position. Bottom Butterfly, Closed, Open, and Half Guards. My newest favorite ways to use it are from top side, top mount, top judo side, top of turtle (and bottom), and countering (attempting usually) the berimbolo. Combine the slow, fast, and reverse arm drags all together and you get a lot higher percentages. There are a lot of ways to string it into escapes also. The B Smith to arm drag is the first one to come to mind.

[Sam Davis]

And obviously don't forget from standing.

[David Rosado]

Damn bro, you're on another level. LOL.

[Brandon Mccaghren]

Sam has an arm drag and back attack from another dimension.

[Brandon Mccaghren]

Arm drag from B Smith is my current favorite. I added it to the end of the warm up at our school.

[Isaac Atley]

I do like my arm drags, I call my favourite the spiderman clinch, because its from inverted guard. instead of grabbing the triceps i go two on one on the forearm and pull down. For visuals, i look like im spiderman upside down and their arm is my web. they always try and pull their arm out and so they take all your weight on the one arm. generally im too heavy for them to lift up but my legs are free to fly to armbars or triangles or whatever really. I like swinging on bars and so i hang upside down a lot. and I have a good grip so i dunno if it works for everyone. but if not arm drags then two on ones from inverted guard are awesome. I do get this reasonably often. Ill generally go inverted and try it once a roll and its probably about an 80% finish when i get into it at least.

I go armbars if they are further up/straighter/bigger and triangles if they are lower down.